Jean Miller Resource Room

Academic Senate Presentation on LGBTQ+ Survey Results

Overview of the Survey

• Purpose
• To see where student need was greatest
• To determine interest in a learning community
• Roll-out dates
• Late Fall quarter 2020 to beginning of Winter 2021
• Responses
• 53 respondents
• Mix of multiple choice and short answer

Types of questions

01. Quantitative

02. Qualitative

What has affected your ability to be successful?

What kinds of resources/events are you most interested in?

Do you see yourself reflected in programs, events, curriculum, etc?

Are you interested in a Learning Community?

What has made you feel supported?

What are the greatest challenges you face?

How can De Anza support you?

Key Takeaway: Mental health

01.

Important data points

• When asked what has had an impact on their ability to be successful:
• 64% said lack of access to mental health services had some or a great effect
• 63% said lack of family/home life that supports their identity

​

• When asked what kinds of services we should expand
• 88% chose psychological and mental health services
• Next were social/community building (73%) and community networking (71%)

​

• When asked what kinds of events we should offer
• 83% chose events focusing on mental/emotional health and well-being
• Next were community networking (79%) and community building (75%)

​

Key Takeaway: Learning Community

02.

Important data points

• When asked if they’d be interested in a Learning Community:
• 64% said YES

​

• When asked if they felt reflected in the curriculum (books, materials, lectures) of their courses
• 73% said rarely or never
• Note: In terms of not feeling reflected, the next highest was the college website at 55%

​

• When asked whom they’d most like to connect with
• 90% said other LGBTQ+ students at De Anza
• Next was LGBTQ+ faculty/staff at De Anza at 67%

​

Key Takeaway: The Impact of Faculty

03.

Important data points

• When asked what made them feel supported
• 30 responses
• Of those, 13 responded that faculty had a positive impact
• Many respondents expressed that it was helpful when their instructor respected pronouns, gender identity, and sexuality
• However, improvements can be made as respondents feel the college is welcoming in general but they do not feel connected to the college as a community that supports LGBTQ+ students

​

• The importance of intersectionality and trans-inclusivity
• In addition to a desire for the college to learn about gender identity and sexuality, respondents also shared their experience with racism on campus and in the classroom, even from faculty/staff/admin within the LGBTQ+ community.

“It is a lonely place for queer people of color”

• Many respondents shared personal experiences of transphobia/trans-exclusion in their classes

​

​

Why discuss this in Academic Senate?

• Faculty have a big impact on the sense of belonging an LGBTQ+ student feels at De Anza
• Invitation for further dialogue about:
• Curriculum
• Best practices for creating an inclusive classroom
• Opportunities for community building

​

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to De Anza’s Office of Institutional Research, in particular:

Mallory Newell, who helped the JMRR Advisory Council develop the survey, and

Lisa Ly, who helped us process the survey results

​

Thanks also to Dawn Lee Tu in the Office of Professional Development

Thanks!

If you’d like to continue this conversation and/or are interested in professional development opportunities, please reach out to Chesa at caparasfrancesca@fhda.edu

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik and illustrations